New Castle DIGEST (Sept-Oct)
Local News and Media, and Upcoming Events, as of 9/29/23
I. September News Round-Up đ°
BREAKING: Chris DeAscanis Becomes Trustee President
An eagle-eyed Topics Tipster has pointed out a recent edit on the website for the Trustees of the New Castle Common: the Board appears to have a new President, Christopher DeAscanis, previously listed as VP (which now appears vacant). The change was made without any announcement or language on the website indicating there had been one.
Former president Peter Toner, who remains listed among the Trustees on the same âAbout Usâ page, has been under fire in recent months for various allegedly inappropriate or incendiary comments not directly related to the Common, which a number of residents have vociferously argued reflected poorly on it nonetheless due to his position. He was due to serve as President through the beginning of next year.
TNCC Board Secretary Michael Alfree, in response to a request for comment, noted that, âthe Trust will be issuing a statement once it is approved at the October [3] board meeting.â
Earlier this month, Mr. Toner presided over the September 5 Trustee meeting (recapped in its own story below), and neither he nor the Board gave any indication that the bodyâs previous position of âthis is an internal matter and has been handledâ (to paraphrase Board attorney Andrew Taylor) had changed. The change was made on or prior to 9/25, based on the most recent cached version of the webpage.
Third Consecutive Municipal Election Ramps Up
Three candidates have filed for the special municipal election to be held at New Castle Senior Center on November 4. Suzanne Souder is running unopposed to complete the remaining (roughly) two years of recently-resigned Council President Mike Plattâs term.
In order to run for President, Souder had to resign her current seat on Council, which she announced she would do effective November 4, in order to maintain the functioning of City Council while the election plays out.
Souderâs resignation created an open seat for a regular Council Member, which Brian Mattaway and Alice Riehl - each currently an appointed member of a different Council subcommittee - have stepped forward to seek. The winner will serve nearly a full, four-year term, as Ms. Souder was just re-elected in April.
Absentee ballots for this election will be available starting on October 9, and may be requested from the City Office through November 3 at Noon. Folks needing to register to vote ahead of this election must do so by October 30.
Please see the âMeet the Candidatesâ Feature, below (Part III of this Digest), for statements from Ms. Souder, Mr. Mattaway and Ms. Riehl.
New Castle County Celebrates 350 Years
County Executive Matt Meyer and Council President Karen Hartley-Nagle joined local leaders, county employees, press and others on the Green recently to hold a â350th Anniversary Press Conferenceâ celebrating the creation of New Castle County.
On September 12, 1673, the area that had previously been (and is now) called New Castle was taken back by the Dutch and re-established as New Amstel, only to be retaken by the British and become New Castle again a few years later. Picking a single inception date for this town and/or county is, well... complicated. Lol.
The date may arguably have been arbitrary - why this âfounding,â which was neither first nor last in our colonial history? - but the event was very nice. Following a welcome by New Castle Mayor Valarie Leary, it featured brief addresses by Meyer and Hartley-Nagle. New Castle Court House Museum lead interpreter Juliette Worm also spoke, sharing some of the history around the day and her institutionâs central role in much of Delaware history.
After everyoneâs remarks, Meyer revealed and shared a large cake, vibrantly decorated and in the shape of New Castle County. Perhaps having temporal milestones wash over us repeatedly - once for each taking, re-taking and re-naming of New Castle - is just our due. Bring on the cake! đĽł
Updates from City Council and Administration
City Council met on Tuesday, September 12, at New Castle Senior Center. Suzanne Souder, the bodyâs senior-most member, presided in the absence of a council president. Previous minutes, a recent financial audit of the cityâs bookkeeping, and the monthly Treasurerâs Report were all approved unanimously.
Highlights of the Meeting includedâŚ
Tourism Director Sara Crawford's first address to Council and the public on her work in the role so far, which has consisted of prepping marketing and social media plans, and holding lots of stakeholder meetings.
Ms. Souder reported on behalf of an absent Administrator Barthel that:
âPlans for the Rivertown Festival are underway. Chesapeake City has been added so the festival now includes [it,] the Wilmington Riverfront, Delaware City⌠and New Castle. The festival is completely organized by Event Allies. It is revenue neutral for the City... Saturday, Oct. 14, with registration beginning at 8:30. The event concludes at 4.â
City architect Leila Hamroun has recently returned from a summer vacation and is finishing a feasibility study for enhanced security at the City Admin building this month (September). She is also working to commission a topological study of the site selected for the proposed Dog Park, for which the City also still needs to sign a Memo of Understanding with the Trustees.
Mayor Valarie Leary announced an upcoming series of meet-and-greets with herself and a rotating cast of Council members in each of New Castleâs neighborhoods. She also shared that last monthâs MickeyFest had raised $25K in support of families struggling with Sanfilippo Syndrome, and offered a reminder of âTurn the Towns Teal,â Septemberâs ovarian cancer awareness campaign. Lastly, Mayor Leary offered two Proclamations (click to read in their entirety):
one Celebrating Bridgewater Jewelersâ 140th Anniversary, which she presented to current proprietor Mary Bridgewater Lenhoff, and
Chief Richard McCabe of NCPD noted that his department is working to hire a clinician who can go out with officers in response to substance abuse calls. McCabe hopes to fill the position - which would be funded by a grant - by the end of this year.
Brian Mattaway joined the race for City Council (member) in the upcoming November special election.
An update from Suzanne Swift on progress at the Battery Park playground, which was set to open again within a few weeks following the meeting.
The Weekly editor and publisher Theresa Buchanan raised questions about responses she had received to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request sent to the city, which sought details around the investigation into Mayor Learyâs filing for the April election. She found it inexplicable that a digital system could not produce timestamps for when Learyâs city email had been accessed, and that the attorneys working for the city are apparently unique in not accounting for their time in scrupulous detail.
Following this monthâs meeting, on 9/22, city administrator William Barthel tendered his resignation, continuing the revolving-door trend that appears to have beset city government this year. Barthel has served in the role for a decade, since being installed as administrator by City Council, which he led as President for the four years prior. The city is searching for a replacement, and Mr. Barthel has agreed to consult for a period of time to ensure a smooth transition.
Further Info:
Watch the 9/12 Council Meeting on YouTube (minutes available ff. approval next month)
Read the Resolutions and Ordinances read or considered on 9/12
Updates from the Trustees of the New Castle Common
On the first Tuesday of this month at the historic Penn Farm House, the Trustees of the New Castle Common held their September (open) meeting.
President Pete Toner announced an opening on the Board, kicking off the process for a next Trustee Election and designating Thomas Wilson as chair of the Election Committee for this balloting. This election will be for the seat vacated by Brenda Antonio when she resigned earlier this year.
The election will be held on December 9, from 10am to 4pm, at Good Will Fire Company on South Street. As reported by The Weekly, Thomas Clayton, whose term as a Trustee ended earlier this month, will seek re-election to the Board. Other candidates have until November 9 to file with the Trustees at their Penn Farm HQ.
A brief but pointed exchange between Mr. Wilson and Finance Chair Fred Gallagher spoke to the tension inherent in the Trusteesâ work maintaining the Common. Amid pushback over requested funds for various maintenance projects, Wilson declared, âwe are not a financial institution,â asserting that the purpose of the Trust was not simply to amass a large investment portfolio. Gallagher - whose argument largely focused on the bodyâs process for approving funds - averred that, without careful and conservative financial stewardship, the Common would not last.
Other Meeting Highlights included...
Effective 9/30, the City (and no longer the Trustees' office) will handle event requests and scheduling for Battery Park.
Following recent storm damage, Chief Majewski of GWFC updated the board on a (long-)ongoing review of fire house facilities that should wrap up in ~6mo.
The Trustees are exploring turning 201 Delaware St (Old Town Hall) into apartments, and have commissioned preliminary sketches to that end.
The Property Maintenance Committee made several funding requests as it eyes smoothing/replacing Market Square's trip-inducing brick plaza (poss. by Christmas), updating the fencing around Ft. Casimir park, replacing worn-out HVAC units at the Library, extending the stone berm at Battery Park (with input from the Sea Level Rise committee), and more.
The Common awarded 15 scholarships (totaling ~$40K) to New Castle college students for the upcoming Fall semester, including to one local student who achieved a 4.1 GPA at Harvard. (Congrats to all of the cityâs budding academics.)
Mayor Valarie Leary addressed the board, thanking members for their work and urging future cooperation among the city's 'servant-leaders.'
Public comments included a reminder from Dorsey Fiske of the DE Attorney General's Office's (non-binding) 2017 opinion letter regarding the Trust's responsibilities under FOIA; a request by Phil Gross that picnic tables be returned to the park; and a demand by two residents that Mr. Toner step down over comments he made surrounding the running of the City Special Election concluded on Aug. 5.
Open House: The Trustees will welcome the public back on October 14 from 1-3 for an open-house style event featuring a DJ and local eateries. The next open meeting will be in December.
Further Info: 2023 Trustee Meeting Minutes, Jan-June (Sept. minutes available following approval at next monthâs meeting.)
II. ICYMI: Local Media Spotlight đ¸
In case you missed it... This September was wet, but wild and wonderful (and delicious!) in its own ways, includingâŚ
Weâre loving the new âPop-Up Postcardsâ Series from New Castle Historical Society!
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We were also happy to see the Penn Farm Ag & Nutrition program featured in Another Great Article, here.
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The Hermitage Natural Area continued to offer beautiful glimpses of nature at our local preserve, which is part of New Castle Common.
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Sadly, we bid a fond âfarewellâ for the season to the stately Kalmar NyckelâŚ
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Lastly, our Private Community Group on Facebook received a nice review from a member about the latest Talk-of-the-Town: the new Taqueria El Centenario at Ferry Cut-Off and Delaware Streets.
Yay traditional tacos! đŽ đŽ đŽ
III. Meet the Council Candidates đł
For Council President: Suzanne Souder
Ms. Souder shared the statement below with followers after announcing her candidacy at a Special Council meeting on August 28.
⌠I will continue to serve in my current capacity as a member of Council until after the election. I made this decision now so that the special election will include my current seat on Council as well as the position of Council President. The last thing New Castle needs is a fourth election within a year. Three will be quite enough!
When I ran for re-election [in April], I said that I hoped to be a calm and thoughtful voice on City Council. If elected as your Council President, I plan to continue that effort. Given the turmoil our city government has experienced this year with the resignation of both our Mayor and our Council President and two contentious elections, I think we especially need a calm and experienced voice going forward. I have learned a great deal during my first 4 years serving on City Council. If you trust me with your vote and I am elected, I will try my best to use that knowledge for the betterment of our city and to be that calm, steady voice for the City of New Castle.
On September 27, after it became clear that she would be unopposed in the race, Ms. Souder shared the additional statement below.
⌠It feels a little odd to become Council President this way, but I canât say Iâll miss running a campaign. I do still want to talk to residents and hear about their concerns for the city. I also want to promote the election and encourage all eligible voters to turn out. I plan to attend various community events such as the Block Party for the Senior Center, the Trusteesâ Open House, Goodwillâs Open House, the Halloween parade, etc. to help me do this.
Mayor Leary is planning monthly community events in our various neighborhoods where residents can meet with her and 2 members of Council to ask questions and discuss issues. I will participate in some of them but⌠in accordance with FOIA laws, we canât all be there together. If you know of other events you think it would be helpful for me to attend, please let me know. Iâll try to be at as many of them as possible.
Iâd like to thank everyone who has encouraged me since I first ran for Council in 2019 and those who have shared ideas and concerns since then. Iâm a firm believer that no one has all the answers. We need input from throughout our community and we need to work together to find the best solutions to the issues we face in New Castle.
As I said when I declared my candidacy, my goal is to try to restore stability to our city government after the turmoil of the resignations of our Mayor and the President of City Council. In addition, we recently learned that our long-time City Administrator is stepping down. This will mean increased involvement of the Council and especially the Council President until we hire a replacement. Of course, the new Administrator will also need time to get oriented. I think my 4 years of experience on the City Council and consultation with the other members of Council will help me guide us through this period of transition.
For Member of Council: Alice Riehl
New Castle Topics reached out to Ms. Riehl after she filed to ask about why she had, and her goals for the city. Her response is below.
Dear New Castilians,
I am very excited to run for the open seat on the City Council. I have lived here for 13 years and have supported the City in many ways during that time. I opened my house for Spirit of Christmas multiple times, ran the advertising sales for Day in Old New Castle, been co-chair and then chair of the Home Treasures portion of the May Market (and produced record revenues), and served as chair of the Cityâs Sea Level Rise Task Force. In that last capacity, I led the Task Force when it recently received approval for the funding of a large project to protect the City from future flooding. My campaign for City Council is a continuation of my desire to do what I can to strengthen and preserve this wonderful place and to serve its citizens.
Many people know me as the author of the Modern Life column in the Weekly. I was co-publisher/co-editor of the Weekly for seven years, before retiring in November 2021. At the paper, I covered most of the City Council meetings and some Trustee meetings. I am very conversant with the workings of the City government and its personnel. I believe that will be a great asset as a City Council person.
There have been a lot of elections in town this year, the result of some unexpected resignations. For you who have voted in all of them, I salute you. I hope you will come to the polls one more time and vote for me for City Council on November 4th. Thanks so much.
Alice Riehl
For Member of Council: Brian Mattaway
Mr. Mattaway offered the address below in announcing his candidacy at the regular City Council meeting on Sept. 12. (To enhance readability, capitalization and bolding have been reduced from the delivery version provided to New Castle Topics by the candidate.)
September 14th, 2022, I stood at this podium before this audience and affirmed the tenants of life that I sought to teach my son Caleb. They were 3 simple yet complex words LEGACY, FAITH AND PURPOSE. A portion of the message read: Good, Bad or Indifferent you will be remembered by those who cross your path. You may never know how much your words, actions or deeds encourage or discourage a person. Dare to be extraordinary not ordinary. Only what you do for others will last. If you want better, do better.
At the time it seemed like something that we all could noodle on as we considered strategic initiatives and direction for our city. One year later I have a 2nd son (Malachi). As a parent, teacher and guide you cannot just speak to your children or those that you are trying to influence in a positive way. In this instance Iâm required to show that If I want better, I must do better as well!
Neighbors and Friends, I was talking to myself and didnât even know it.
It is appropriate that I stand at this same podium one year later to say that I will be standing to humbly seek the opportunity to serve our beloved community as a City Council Person in November.
This is absolutely a call that I have over my life. Not running from anything or anyone. Not running from this moment or this opportunity. Iâm standing my ground on the front line because this is my home which I love dearly.
Standing looking at the fear that prevented me from doing this before and proclaiming that chain is broken.
Standing for Justice and Peace.
Standing for my children and your children.
Standing for Seniors.
Standing for All Neighborhoods.
Standing for working families.
Standing to be a servant-leader and to put my shoulder by the plow.
Standing to listen, learn and partner.
Standing for First Responders.
Standing for Employees of our City.
Standing for our Business Community.
Yes, indeed, Iâll be standing for all New Castilians, little and tall!
Respectfully Submitted,
Brian Mattaway
IV. Community Event Calendar đ
Check out the Community Calendar on our website for a farther view of the local event scene and to catch additional events as they are added, plus the list of monthly/ongoing events! And please see the Libraryâs event calendar here (if we added all library events, theyâd take over!).
Remaining in SEPTEMBERâŚ
9/29 - Both of tonightâs Outdoor Movie Screenings have been Cancelled.
Master & Commander may be rescheduled to next weekend by the Arts Council.9/30 - Multiple Big Yard Sales, going on from mid-morning until 4pm at:
166 East 2nd Street (ft. sculpture, artwork, New Castle prints & more), and
102 Delaware Street, plus No.âs 10, 12 and 16 Dalby Alley (multi-home).
9/30 - Art on the Green in Battery Park, hosted by the Lions Club, 10am-4pm.
Hundreds of arts, craft and collectibles vendors, plus food trucks, Artistsâ Row, a Library Friendsâ Book Sale & more. (Rescheduled from 9/23 due to rain.)
Coming Up in OCTOBERâŚ
10/1 - New Castle Block Party on the Green, 3-8pm. (Resched. from 9/24.)
Fundraising event for NC Senior Center, ft. live music, art auctions, 50/50âs and more.
10/5 - SPOOKY Bingo at the Mercury CafĂŠ & Teahouse, 6-8pm.
Starts promptly at 6:30pm in the Teahouse. First card is free and then each card thereafter is $2 a piece. Tickets are cash only.10/7 - William Penn High School Homecoming Parade & Fall Festival, 9am.
10/7 - Shawtown Community Outreach Day, in or near Susi Park, 10am-Noon.
Mayor Valarie Leary, Council member Nermin Zubaca (and likely another council member) will be at the red pop-up tent to meet and talk with Shawtown neighbors, as part of a series of meet-and-greets planned for each New Castle neighborhood.10/7 - St. Peter the Apostle Alumni Homecoming at the School (lot), 4-8pm.
Food Trucks, Spirit Wear, Classroom Tours, Raffles & a 50/50. Reserve a space here.10/8 - Blossom Brunch Fundraiser at Cabernet Candles, 1-4pm.
Guests to wear shades of pink as they make pink candles and enjoy brunch and bubbly, in support of the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition. Registration required on website.10/14 - River Towns Ride & Fall Festival, hosted by the City, beginning 9am.
11th annual event invites riders to visit the historic riverfronts of New Castle, Delaware City, Wilmington and Chesapeake City, Md. (new in 2023) while earning medals based on distance completed. Post-ride Party in in Historic New Castleâs Battery Park.10/14 - Battery Park Beach Clean-Up, starting from NC Sailing Clubhouse, 10am.
Organized by the NC Sailing Club and the Historic NC Hundred Lions Club. Family friendly, rain or shine; sturdy shoes and work gloves recommended, other tools provided.10/14 - Trusteesâ Fall Open House at Penn Farm House, 1-3pm.
Meet the Trustees and learn about New Castle Common, with a DJ and refreshments.10/21 - Harvest Bazaar at the New Castle Senior Center, 9am-2pm.
Featuring homemade baked goods, handmade crafts, sewing/craft supplies, new & gently used items, breakfast & lunch foods (to-go), mums, raffles and more! Free admission.
10/22 - Fall Native Plant Exchange at the Hermitage Natural Area, 10am.
Swap native plants with fellow greenthumbs from throughout DE - participants do not need to bring plants to leave with plants, and the event is free.
10/28 - GWFC Fire Prevention Open House & Awards, at the Fire House, 11am.
Good Will Fire Co.âs annual Open House and Poster and Essay Contest Awards Ceremony! Company apparatus and equipment on display, live demonstrations & more.10/28 - William Penn Day at NC Court House Museum.
10/30 - New Castle Halloween Parade, organized by the NC Lions Club.
MONTHLY & ONGOING Events
*New* - âSunday Scariesâ Movie Nights at the Mercury CafĂŠ, Sundays in October (starting the 2nd Sunday) - featuring a scary movie with a drink and snack included. Get more details and see other events at the CafĂŠ on their website.
Third Thursday Food Truck Fundraisers at Good Will Fire Company.
Bellanca Air Museum Open House, Second & Fourth Saturdays from 11-3.
Second Saturday Bird Walks at the Hermitage with Delaware Birders, 8am.
Fourth Friday Art Loops at participating shops and galleries around downtown, including the Opera House, MoâzArt Gallery, The Window on Delaware Street, the Mercury Cafeâs in-house gallery, and more!
Regular Historic Tours at:
New Castle Historical Society at the Arsenal (Fri-Sunday)
New Castle Court House Museum (Weds-Sunday)
Read House & Gardens (Thurs-Sunday)
Second Tuesdays: City Council Meetings at the NC Senior Center, 7pm.
Click here for the many events happening each week at New Castle Public Library.
And click here for New Castle Historical Societyâs full event calendar.